Valparaiso Ymca

SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE DETAILED MISSION DESCRIPTION.

OUR YMCA PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE DESCRIBED BELOW, OFFER A RANGE OF EXPERIENCES THAT ENRICH COGNITIVE, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. CHILD CARE: THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA SEEKS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE, HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND EDUCATION FOR A DIVERSE COMMUNITY IN A SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. WE BELIEVE A PARTNERSHIP OF CHILD, PARENT, AND DEDICATED STAFF SUPPORTS CHILDREN IN OUR CARE TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL AND CARING INDIVIDUALS. THE PARTNERSHIP STRIVES TO NOURISH THE CHILDREN'S PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING WELL-ROUNDED, FUN, CREATIVE AND ENRICHING PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES. IN 2021, OVER 900 CHILDREN ATTENDED CHILDCARE PROGRAMS AND WE SUBSIDIZED A TOTAL OF $87,820. DURING 2021, OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS: *UTILIZED A RICH CURRICULUM TO HELP KIDS BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC AND LIFE SUCCESS AND INSTILLED A LOVE FOR LEARNING IN 300+ PRESCHOOL AND TODDLER CHILDREN. THIS CURRICULUM IS A KINDERGARTEN READINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS. CURRENTLY 98% OF OUR CHILDREN ENROLLED ARE KINDERGARTEN READY. *EMPHASIZED BUILDING STRONG CHARACTER VALUES AND SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS WHILE ENGAGING IN SUMMER FUN FOR SUMMER CAMP PARTICIPANTS. *PROVIDED ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ENRICHMENT TO CHILDREN PER WEEK FROM 6 AREA SCHOOLS, IN BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILDREN PROGRAMS. *ENGAGED IN FUN, SAFE PLAY IN CHILD WATCH WHILE THEIR PARENTS WERE USING THE Y FOR OVER 25,000 VISITS PER YEAR *CONTINUED STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH) PROGRAM IN SUMMER CAMP, BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL. THIS LEARNING INITIATIVE SEEKS TO BUILD YOUTH ANALYTICAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS THAT PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN LIFE AND IN STEM CAREERS. *HEPA FACILITY (HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) IS PART OF CURRICULUM AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS. HEPA ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AT THE Y AND AT HOME. CHILDREN ALSO ENGAGE IN 30-60 MINUTES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT THE Y. *INTEGRATE 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS IN CHILDREN THAT HELPS THEM ACT IN POSITIVE WAYS, MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, BOUNCE BACK FROM DIFFICULTIES THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF COPING SKILLS, AND ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS LESS. OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMS: AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VALPARAISO COMMUNITY, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA HAS SUPPORTED OUR MISSION TO 2,400 PROGRAM YOUTH PARTICIPANTS THROUGH OFFERING A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR EVERY AGE AND INTEREST IN THE AQUATICS, SPORTS AND YOUTH FITNESS AREAS. DURING 2021, OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS: *ENCOURAGED ACTIVE LIVING AND FOSTERED CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND ATHLETIC SKILLS IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING: *YOUTH SPORTS *FITNESS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY FITNESS TO FAMILY PARTICIPANTS *HELPED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN BY TEACHING SWIMMING AND WATER SKILLS IN 2 POOLS. *MIDDLE SCHOOL SERVICE GROUP, Y TEENS TOGETHER, ENGAGED ABOUT 80 MIDDLE SCHOOLERS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH YOUTH IN OUR YMCA ARE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING POSITIVE ASSETS IN YOUTH AND INCORPORATE THIS TRAINING INTO ALL PROGRAMS. HEALTHY LIVING: THE Y IS A LEADING VOICE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE BRING FAMILIES CLOSER TOGETHER, ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOSTER CONNECTIONS THROUGH FITNESS, SPORTS, FUN, AND SHARED INTERESTS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS OUR NATION STRUGGLES WITH AN OBESITY CRISIS; FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH WORK/LIFE BALANCE; AND INDIVIDUALS SEARCH FOR PERSONAL FULFILLMENT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND OPEN TO ALL FAITHS, BACKGROUNDS, ABILITIES, AND INCOME LEVELS. IN 2021, WE PROVIDED $265,909 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE FACED ECONOMIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION. OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 75 YEARS. ABOUT 15,000 MEMBERS LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE AT THE Y AND 3,500 ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS KEEP WORKING ON THEIR WELLNESS. DURING 2021, ABOUT 1500 MEMBERS A DAY VISITED THE Y SEEKING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: OUR YMCA BELIEVES IN GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND RESPONDING TO OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST CRITICAL SOCIAL NEEDS FOR 75 YEARS. IN 2021, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA PROVIDED MEMBERSHIPS TO 10 LOCAL GROUP HOMES AND HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES FOR $13,864. THIS ALLOWED THOSE CLIENTS, WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FULL FEE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY. THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA COLLABORATES WITH OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES, BOY AND GIRL SCOUTS, ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION, AMERICAN RED CROSS, LOCAL ROTARY AND KIWANIS CLUBS, AS WELL AS THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS, VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY OF VALPARAISO TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICES TO THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA IS INVOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING: *MANAGED PROMISE PORTER COUNTY PROGRAM. THIS IS A COUNTY WIDE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO SET UP COLLEGE FUND ACCOUNTS FOR ALL STUDENTS K-1ST GRADE. *VOLUNTEERS: VOLUNTEERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE AT OUR YMCA TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. OUR POLICY VOLUNTEERS TOTALED 28 AND OUR PROGRAM AND EVENT VOLUNTEERS TOTALED 552! *CERTIFIED SEVERAL STUDENTS AND ADULTS IN CPR AND FIRST AIDE *CONDUCTED LIVESTRONG AT THE YMCA PROGRAM SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF CANCER. THIS PROGRAM HELPS CANCER SURVIVORS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE AND ACHIEVE THEIR HOLISTIC HEALTH GOALS. *PARTNERED WITH A NON-PROFIT HOSPITAL TO DELIVER SERVICES THAT ENHANCE MEMBER'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS ALL GEARED TOWARDS CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION. PRIMARY AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP: COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS RECEIVED FREE SCREENINGS FOR VARIOUS AREAS OF WHICH SEVERAL SCREENINGS RESULTED IN CRITICAL FINDINGS THAT WERE LIFE SAVING SEMINARS ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOPICS ALL DELIVERED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS HEALTH FAIR, NUTRITION CONSULTATION, AND PHYSICIANS CONSULTATIONS *OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDED: SENIOR DAY, CHRISTMAS MARKET, SENIOR OUTINGS, SUPPER WITH SANTA. *PARTNERED WITH FOODBANK OF NORTHWEST INDIANA AND PROVIDED FOOD FOR 562 INDIVIDUALS AND 184 FAMILIES